Powerful Nor’easter Floods Eastern Carolina, Leaving Coastal Towns Underwater
NEW BERN, N.C. — A powerful nor’easter sweeping across Eastern Carolina has unleashed historic flooding, damaging businesses and homes from New Bern to the coast. Residents and officials say it’s the worst inundation they’ve seen in decades, as rising tides and powerful winds continue to batter coastal communities.
‘We Haven’t Seen Flooding Like This in Years’
As the storm strengthened over the past 24 hours, the National Weather Service in Newport issued a Storm Warning for all coastal waters and the Pamlico Sound, citing higher-than-expected wind speeds and water levels.
“Because of the increase in strength and winds, the amount of coastal flooding we’re expecting has increased slightly,” said Ryan Ellis, science and operations officer for the NWS Newport office.
That “slight” increase, however, has caused widespread damage across low-lying areas. Pamlico County resident Tony Nelson described the event as “a pretty strong nor’easter” that has overwhelmed communities accustomed to occasional flooding. “We’re used to floods,” he said, “but this—this is a bit much.”
(Source: WCTI 12 News)
Businesses in New Bern Hit Hard
In New Bern, floodwaters filled streets and pushed into storefronts, shocking business owners who were unprepared for the storm’s intensity. Jeff Serio, who owns Pinky’s Pub, said he’s never seen flooding this severe.
“We were expecting rain, but we weren’t expecting anything like this,” Serio said. “You go down to Union Park, and it’s knee-deep—it’s pretty bad. I’ve never seen it like this since I’ve been here.”
Emergency responders in Craven and Carteret counties have been working throughout the weekend to close flooded roadways and assist residents trapped by rising water. Officials are urging drivers to avoid travel until conditions improve.
Ongoing Concerns for Coastal Communities
Forecasters warn that even a few additional inches of water could have “monumental impacts” for the region’s fragile coastal infrastructure. The storm’s strong onshore winds continue to push water inland, threatening to worsen flooding overnight before conditions begin to ease late Monday.
Residents are advised to remain indoors and monitor local weather alerts. Flood warnings are expected to remain in effect through Monday afternoon.
Authorities recommend downloading the Storm Track 12 Weather App or following NWS Newport for real-time updates as recovery and assessment efforts continue.
Have you experienced flooding in your area? Share your photos and updates with SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
